National military news
Contract awarded for multi-year procurement of F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet strike fighter
PATUXENT RIVER, Md. - The Navy has awarded The Boeing Co. a contract for the procurement of 78 F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet aircraft; a multi-year procurement (MYP) of 72 between fiscal years 2019-2021, and six from fiscal year 2018.
Navy officials estimate this multi-year model saves a minimum of $395 million on this contract valued at approximately $4 billion.
“This multi-year purchase is a great illustration of employing team effort to drive out cost and maximize efficiency in government procurement,” said Rear Adm. Shane Gahagan, Program Executive Officer for Tactical Aircraft Programs. “This acquisition strategy secures cost savings to the Navy, and the contract provisions limit Navy liability while incentivizing the cost to the contractor.”
“The program office was able to achieve significant savings while equipping our warfighters with the best capability on an accelerated timeline,” Gahagan said. “This is how we keep pace with our adversaries.”
There will also be opportunities in fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2021 to procure six more aircraft at the same reduced prices as those in MYP, via a variation in quantity. The Fixed Price Incentive (Firm Target) (FPIF) contract limits the Navy’s liability and incentivizes the cost of production for industry. Under this contract, the Navy and its industry partners have agreed to share any monetary overrun or underrun once the production is completed.
Boeing’s F/A-18E/F Block III Super Hornet is the next step in the aircraft’s evolution. Equipped with an advanced cockpit system, advanced network infrastructure, reduced radar cross-section, conformal fuel tanks, and a 10,000-flight hour life span. It is the most lethal, interoperable, and sustainable Super Hornet model to date.

Family PCS travel flexibility
expanded
Fall 2018
From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Navy has expanded the eligible categories for advanced dependent travel (ADT) and delayed dependent travel (DDT), personnel officials announced in September.
For permanent change of station (PCS) moves within the 50 states, the policy allows for dependent travel of up to six months before or after the sponsoring Sailor’s PCS move in the following situations: spousal employment or education, dependents in elementary or secondary school (K-12), dependent enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, or caring for an immediate family member with a chronic or long-term illness. The previous approved policy that allowed DDT for the length of the school year is unchanged by this expansion.
For moves from the 50 states to overseas locations, only DDT will be authorized. For moves from overseas locations to the 50 states, only ADT will be authorized.
Sailors will only receive one housing allowance, either for their location or their dependent’s location, under delayed or advance travel. Sailors or dependents may be assigned government quarters if available, but may not displace a member or dependent in government housing.
Requests for DDT or ADT must be submitted to Navy Personnel Command (PERS-451).
For information and answers to questions on this policy, email NXAG_N130C@navy.mil.



SoCal military news

SAN DIEGO Sailors assigned to amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) recite the Sailor's Creed on mess decks during the ship's Navy Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award inspection. Boxer is pierside in its homeport. U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Alexander C. Kubitza.

Ney every day: Boxer wins Ney award
3/25/2019
by MC3 John Luke McGovern, USS Boxer (LHD 4) Public Affairs
PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- “Ney every day.” The words are written on plaques adorning each of the main entrances into the mess decks of amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4). It’s a small message, but a powerful mission statement for the Sailors of the supply department aboard.
Boxer was recently awarded the 2019 Navy Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award in the Large Afloat category, for the first time in her 24 years of service.
Cmdr. Phoebe Tamayo, Boxer’s supply officer, equates winning a Ney award to the supply equivalent of winning the Super Bowl, and recognized the crew for their overwhelming support in making it happen.
“Winning this award, Boxer holds the bragging rights as having the best food service operation amongst all large afloat platforms for 2019,” said Tamayo. “The entire crew provided overwhelming support, constructive feedback, and high level of motivation during the Ney inspection. This was a big part as to why Boxer won this prestigious award.”
What is even less common is that two ships in the same amphibious ready group would receive a Ney award. Amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) received a Ney award as well for the Small-Medium category.
While the award is a nice gesture for a job well done, Master Chief Culinary Specialist Jade E. Metz, Boxer’s Supply Department leading chief petty officer, believes its larger purpose is to encourage high-performance and improve the quality of life for Navy personnel.
“The Ney award program recognizes excellence in food service,” said Metz. “It is one of the biggest ways that leadership within food service can give back to the junior Sailors for all their hard work.”






United Through Reading®
Deploying? Service members invited to record stories for family at San Diego USO
United Through Reading® is a program helping ease the stress of separation for military families by having deploying or deployed service members read children’s books aloud via DVD for their family to watch at home. This powerful program is available to all military units. It provides service members a chance to make lasting connections from afar. The DVD recording and the book are mailed to the child and family back home.
Service members who are leaving for training can also take part in this program. Being a parent is not required; service members can send the DVD & book(s) to any special child in their life such as younger sister or brother, niece, nephew or godchild.
On the day of the recording, service members are encouraged to dress in the attire they will be wearing while deployed/training, but this is not required. The room is private, so any special message, or those fun reading voices, will only be heard by the recipient of the DVD recording. USO San Diego has books available, or service members can bring their own. Our volunteers will help set up the camera and then leave the room. The DVD can hold a 30 minute recording.
Please e-mail USO San Diego Staff Member Nichole Duarte at utr@usosandiego.org to make your appointment. This program is offered at both USO San Diego centers.